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Iceland was present at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, held in Bergen, Norway. It was the first time Iceland was represented in the contest. While the country had satellite television contact from other nations (the United States and Canada) since 1981, Iceland was not able to connect to other European nations by satellite before the end of 1985, meaning that 1986 was the first year Iceland could send a delegation to the Eurovision Song Contest.[1]
The Icelandic national final to select their entry, Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 1986, was held on 15 March 1986 at the RÚV Studios in Reykjavík, and was hosted by young musician Jónas R. Jónsson. Eurovision Song Contest 1985 winners Bobbysocks were special guests, and they performed their winning song "La det swinge", and a new song entitled "Midnight Rocks" during the show. The votes of a five-member jury decided the winner, although only the top five placings were announced. The winning entry was "Gleðibankinn", performed by Pálmi Gunnarsson and composed by Magnús Eiríksson.
Pálmi Gunnarsson was joined at the contest by Helga Möller and Eiríkur Hauksson to form the band ICY. The group performed sixth on the night of the contest, following United Kingdom and preceding the Netherlands.
At the close of the voting it had received 19 points, placing 16th in a field of 20 competing countries.[2] Iceland's first-ever points were awarded to them by the Netherlands (who gave the song five of the eventual 19 points).
The members of the Icelandic jury included Berglind Orradóttir, Davíð Scheving Thorsteinsson, Elsa Björnsdóttir, Guðjón Vigfússon, Guðlaug Þorsteinsdóttir, Karl Þorsteins, Margrét Stefánsdóttir, Ríkharður Ríkharðsson, Salóme Þorkelsdóttir, Sigurdór Sigurdórsson, and Svanhildur Kristjónsdóttir.[3]
Iceland
